“TANIWHA” AGROUND.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5432, 5 June 1929, Page 2

“TANIWHA” AGROUND.

SATURDAY’S MISHAP OFF KOPU. RACEHORSES ON BOARD. Early on Saturday, morning, in a dense fog, and while outward bound for Auckland with 51 passengers and three racehorses aboard, the steamer Taniwha went aground a little this side of the Kopu bridge. A relieving master was aboard who, naturally, did not know the intricate moving channels and shifting mudbanks of the tricky river as well as Captain Freeman, the usual captain. The passengers had a most unenviable experience, being awakened at 6 o’clock on a cold, frosty morning to find the boat still in the river. A ladder was later lowered over the side-and most of the passengers disembarked via this uncomfortable means and found their way across planks to dry land and thence to Turua Road. There being insufficient provisions aboard the vessel to go round, a raid was made on the Kopu Hotel, where some sat down to a substantial breakfast, while others were content to purchase biscuits, etc., at the local store. Thames was communicated with to see what could be done in the matter of service cars, as many of the race bound passengers were chafing at the delay and likely loss of a day’s sport. On finding the fare to be charged was £1 a head instead of the usual Ils 6d, all but four baulked at the idea and returned somewhat disconsolately to the s.s. Taniwha.

With the tide reaching its peak at 12 noon the sturdy little vessel refloated and continued on her voyage to Auckland without further untoward happenings, landing her belated and none too cheerful passengers at 6 p.m. —l2 hours late.